To be honest I did not want to go to Camp Glisson on May 25th of 2013. Since about September of 2012 when applications went out for the summer of 2013 I had been dreading the day I went back to camp for the first time not as an employee. I had worked there for three summers and now I was moving on. I never imagined moving on from Camp would hurt at all. Especially after three summers of working and being emotionally exhausted, one would think that kissing Camp goodbye would be easy.
Yet, I was amazed as I sat through Commissioning how many emotions ran through me. This place has genuinely touched my heart and maybe even my spirit.
Brandon "Danger" Whitlock, who had been my section leader my second summer, once told us that camp is just a bunch of buildings. I remember strongly agreeing with him. It has always aggravated me when I heard camp talked about like it was the Tabernacle itself. In retrospect however, I understand that camp is a sanctuary. It is a place where roughly 2400 campers run to every summer. Camp is not just a week away from home, parents and whatever personal hell awaits each kid there. Camp is standing in the Quad and hearing the roar of Cane Creek Falls just down the road. Camp is jumping off the diving board at the pool. Camp is going to the Sparrowwood Dance and celebrating the blessings God has given us, no matter our ability. Camp Singing-on-the-Porch in the rain. Camp is eating a hobo pack with your campers around the fire you all created. Camp is standing in the middle of Outpost field and looking up at the vast array of stars while fireflies and the Lords Spirit dance around you. Camp is the wonder you feel in your heart on Friday as you try and comprehend how these kids came to matter so much to you in such a short amount of time. Camp is about the people.
This might not be a profound statement, after all I am pretty sure I have heard it said dozens of time by different people. It is not the chapel itself on a Thursday night service that is impressive. It is the 300 or so people around you, of all ages, who are as one voice and one body, praising and experiencing the Lord. It is not so much reaching the top of the Alpine Tower as it is having your living group spur you on. I could give many more examples but I think I only need mention one more.
Friday afternoon Celebration. All of camp is there plus everyone's parents. It is both joyous and sad. Most importantly it is normally hot as all get out. One act though communicates what camp really is and, what camp really means. It is the My Friend song. Camp is about friends. Camp is about the growth you experience while making those friends. I have been on both sides on the My Friend song, 28 times in total at Celebration. It is sobering to realize, whether you are six or twenty-three, that the people around you are friends, quite literally, forever. I have campers that are coming to college with me next year, as do many others. I have watched some campers grow up through elementary to mid-high, mid-high to high school, and high school to staff. They are my friends, minor or major. and will always be, even if the next time I see them is in the sky.
As we wrapped up my last Commissioning and I watched the life I had known for three summers move on without me, my heart swelled. I truly love everyone of those people who stood on the stage and, at this very moment at 7:41 on Sunday are headed to Amphitheatre to kick off Week 3. My brothers Jake and Will are doing Outpost things right now. Former camper and dear friend Sara is running around doing CREW things. Basil is running around with my grand-campers. Many others are doing identical jobs, preparing to forever impact the lives of precious children. Jesus, the reason for it all, is going to bring some kids to the Kingdom this week. He is going to change lives, camper and counselor alike this week, just as He changed mine countless times.
As I rolled out of camp headed to a brief lunch before I went home, I took in the way out one last time and remembered two things. The first was the words from the Summons. I heard the Lords summons at camp and answered. I can never express my thanks enough for those who prayed for me, encouraged me and loved me each day. It was the people that put me, and every person who goes through camp, in a position to say, "Yes" to the Lord. The final thing I remembered were the words written on the back of the sign on the Path of Silence. Depart to Serve. For three years I had learned what it meant to be a man and a follower of Christ and a leader at camp. I had learned what it meant to be a Warrior. I learned from the people around me who loved and prayed for me. I learned from Jesus, who permeates every inch of Camp Glisson. I will never forget the lessons I learned at Camp. Moreover, I will never forget the people. Camp is people because Jesus is in people.
